Скачать или смотреть Bulls coach Johan Ackermann explains his selection surprises ahead of facing powerful Pau

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has pressed the re-set button ahead of Friday’s Champions Cup match against Section Paloise at Stade du Hameau in Pau.

In all, there are 11 changes from last weekend’s team: seven in the starting forwards, four in the backline, plus multiple bench rotations.

Captain Ruan Nortje, as well as fellow Springboks Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw, are being 'rested' this week. It resulted in Bok loose forward Marco van Staden covering hooker on the bench, as he did for the Springboks at the 2023 World Cup.

Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheswill Jooste, 13 Sebastian de Klerk, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Izak Burger, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Keagan Johannes, 22 David Kriel, 23 Jeandre Rudolph

Date: Friday, January 16
Venue: Stade du Hameau, Pau
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT; 22.00 SA Time)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales) & George Selwood (England)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)